Garden Tour

While visiting in Southern Illinois, I toured a friends garden in Cairo, and wanted to share it with you. Ira Shuemaker purchased the historic home years ago and slowly began to restore it when he would return to Cairo for visits. After Ira  retired from Texas and returned to his birthplace of Cairo permanently, he devoted his every moment to restoring the home and now makes it his home.

Here are a couple shots of the mansion then we will move on to the garden.

How about that, isn't it beautiful? Now we can to walk  into the garden. We will go through the front gate and start to the left.








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There are paths leading all through the garden.

You can see their back porch where they often dine with family and friends.

There are so many interesting piece of art in the garden.





There is a path that leads to the back gate and potting shed area. My two grandsons and my daughter enjoyed the garden. I'll bring you back for a tour of the mansion when my grandsons aren't along with their quick little hands.




We can turn around and walk back to the other side of the house.






Wow, I know I have shared a lot of pictures today, but his garden is so amazing and here is a fact I have been saving. When Ira purchased the Edwin Halliday Mansion, there wasn't much of a garden at all, it was mostly just weeds, dirt and a magnolia tree. So this garden has truly been a transformation to a work of beauty and art.
Thanks for taking the tour with me, I'm going back in July so will try to take some pictures of the inside of the mansion to share with you - Judy.

Linking to:
Susan at BetweenNaps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Masterpiece Monday at Boogieboard Cottage 
Make the Scene Monday at Alderberry Hill 
Meet Me Monday at You're Talking Too Much 
Favorite Photo Monday 

The Bunny Hop Party at Bunny Jeans on Tuesday

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style 
Outdoor Wednesday at A Southern Daydreamer

DIY by Design for Swing Into Spring
Ivy and Elephants for What’s It Wednesday
White Wednesday at Faded Charm
Home and Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life

Open House Party at No Minimalist Here on Thursday
Favorite Things Thursday at Katherine’s Corner
Kristen’s Creations for Share Your Creations on Thursday

Feathered Nest Friday at the French Country Cottage
Inspiration Friday At The Picket Fence
Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
Stuff and Nonsense for Friday's Unfolded
My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

Natasha in OZ for Say G'day Saturday 
Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper


23 comments:

  1. WOW those winding paths through the beautiful shady garden are so calming and beautiful. I can practically hear the birds and the water in the pond.

    This was a wonderful tour, Judy and I cannot WAIT to see the indoors as well.

    Thanks so much for taking us there with you.

    Stay cool in this unbearable heat wave, my friend.



    Michele

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  2. What a sanctuary! Thank you for sharing this beautiful place with us. Cairo, IL will now have new significance when I see the sign on our way to visit family in Indiana.

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  3. Oh so pretty. Love all the paths and the yard art. Beautiful. Hugs, Marty

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  4. Cairo, IL., huh? Looks more like Savannah, GA! What a beautiful home and garden!!!

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  5. Hello, seems I have just followed you around blogland doing the linkups!! Just had to stop by and check out the garden tour. How beautiful...it looks just so serene (even through the computer!!).
    Suzyq

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  6. Hi Judy, I love the tour. It is always wonderful to see a home so lovingly restored! The home is beautiful and the gardens are awesome. I love how they are nestled under the tall trees. I love the how the path leads you from the from gate to the side and back of the house. You really did a great job capturing the beauty here. Thanks Judy, I feel like I need a refreshing summer drink now!

    ~Emily
    the French Hutch

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  7. Your friend's home and lush gardens are a real beauty! Thank you for sharing this beautiful place at Potpourri Friday!

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  8. What a lovely place, and how lovely to have you as my newest follower!!!

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  9. It's just beautiful to me and very, very much my taste! I love that it is so green and private feeling. It's not a stuffy garden, but more of a strolling garden spot where you could just get carried away.

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  10. Hi Judy, This garden is MAGNIFICENT!! Love all the pathways and little sitting areas. Absolutely breathtaking!
    Thank you for stopping by. Already following, Mary Alice

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  11. I love the tour I didn't realize there was that beautiful of house in Cario Illinois, I was raised in Mt Vernon Illinois and drove over the bridge to Sikeston to visit my aunt & Uncle all my life
    I was on a trip south early spring and drove through Cario lost trying to get to Sikeston I hadn't been for years .

    your friend has a beautiful mansion to show

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  12. Thanks for taking us along. I love garden tours.

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  13. Thanks for sharing this lovely old home and it's gardens. Love the garden ornaments.
    Have a great weekend,
    Babs

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  14. What a gorgeous mansion and breathtaking gardens! I can't wait to see the inside!
    We'd love to have your share at WIW, too.
    Thanks for taking us along!
    Hugs,
    Patti

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  15. Judy, What a beautiful home and gardens. I first thought the home was in Savannah or Charleston. Thanks for sharing the garden tour at the Open House party.

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  16. Wow...now that's a man with vision and dedication...not to mention a cup of perseverance. Thanks for taking us along on the tour. Cherry Kay

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  17. What a gorgeous garden! I can only imagine the time it took to become what it is today. Stopping by from Between Naps on the Porch.

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  18. What a wonderful place... your friend has done a great work

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  19. wow, what a great place :)

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  20. How beautiful! Thanks for the tour! Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

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  21. Thanks so much for linking this great post to my say G'day Party! That sure is a gorgeous part of America. I have just featured this post at my blog and I have shared it on Google Plus as well.

    I hope you will be be able to say g'day again this weekend at my very first Let's Get Social {Media} Linky Party!

    Best wishes,
    Natasha in Oz

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